Aurora Parks Department employees “worked feverishly” this past week to make sure the city’s parks could open on time.
That’s what Gio Santana, the city Parks Department director, said Thursday as the city dedicated a new playground in one of those parks, McCarty Park on the East Side of downtown.
“Just seeing all the children having fun in McCarty Park the last few days reminds me of why we do what we do,” he said.
There were plenty of children using the new playground equipment, purchased by the city in 2020 and installed for about $155,000, as the ribbon-cutting took place. Some stopped to cheer Aurora when Mayor Richard Irvin told them to, some lined up to get a photo with the mayor, and some just watched as city officials cut the ribbon and rang the bell – an Aurora tradition now at ribbon-cuttings.
The playground equipment, which is accessible to people with disabilities, is next to the splash pad, which was also being used on the warm afternoon.
The splash pad was installed in 2009 and repaired several years ago. Ald. Juany Garza, whose 2nd Ward includes McCarty Park, pointed out that her ward is “very dense with children and families,” meaning the playground will get heavy use.
McCarty Park is the city’s oldest park, going back to 1835. City officials call it one of the city’s “legacy parks,” and Irvin pointed out that it was once the center of town. Garza told the audience that in 1903, then-President Theodore Roosevelt spoke in the park during a visit to the city.
She said when the splash pad was installed 12 years ago, the playground was contemplated back then.
“We need it in this community,” she said.
Simon Rodriguez, the city’s Youth Activities director, reveled in the young crowd in the park and said it’s always about the children.
“It makes it all worth it,” he said.
slord@tribpub.com
